Self help for health

Fifteen community health workers received certifications from the Siskiyou County Public Health Department on Tuesday to become chronic disease self-management leaders.

John Bowman

Fifteen community health workers received certifications from the Siskiyou County Public Health Department on Tuesday to become chronic disease self-management leaders.Community health workers are specially trained local residents who aren’t doctors or nurses, but play a critical role in helping their community members get the help and knowledge they need to live healthier lives.

With less and less government money available for public health services and a national healthcare system in a state of flux, some California communities are turning to self-management techniques to deal with chronic disease or illness.

The Chronic Disease Self Management Program was developed as part of the Healthier Living workshop series by Stanford University in cooperation with the California Public Health Department. The program is designed to help people gain the tools and knowledge they need to more effectively manage their chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease.

The workshop covers topics such as techniques to deal with problems associated with chronic health conditions, appropriate exercise, appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends, health care professionals, nutrition and how to evaluate new treatments.

According to the program’s website, “Participants who took a Healthier Living workshop demonstrated significant improvements in exercise, the ability to do social and household activities, less depression, fear, and frustration about their health, reduction in symptoms like pain, and increased confidence in their ability to manage their chronic health condition.”

The group of 15 completed a four-day training session at the Yreka Family Resource Center, led by a representative of the program who came from Humboldt County, and representatives of the Siskiyou County Public Health Department.

Daniele Minock, the Siskiyou County health department’s CA4Health project coordinator, helped lead the training in Yreka. She said chronic diseases can not be effectively managed by doctors alone.

“Managing conditions like diabetes and heart disease require specific diets, lifestyle changes and precise medication schedules,” said Minock. “These are issues that need to be handled by the patients themselves on a day-to-day basis and go far beyond the doctors office. This program will train individuals and equip them with the tools they need to manage their diseases effectively and live better lives.”

Minock said the program is made possible by a Community Transformation Grant from the Community Development Council, which the Public Health Institute in Oakland received specifically to do work in rural counties in the state.

Additionally, the county health department is partnering with the Community Services Council and First 5 Siskiyou for the self management piece of the grant work.The program in Siskiyou County will initially focus on high blood pressure and high cholesterol but is intended to also serve patients with other conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, obesity, depression and anxiety.

Minock believes that, with limited access to health services and information and a higher burden of chronic disease, rural communities may benefit the most by implementing the program.

Rico Gutierrez from the HUB Family Resource Center in Montague received his certification Tuesday and said, “I think it’s exciting to empower people to be able to make decision on their own healthcare, and it will have a positive influence on the way they look at life.”

Michelle O’Gorman from the Yreka Family Resource Center said, “I’m excited to learn a whole new toolbox of tools to share with a different group of people that we may see on a day-to-day basis and may not even know that they’re suffering from a chronic condition. This will help them make positive changes in their lives.”

Etna resident Betsy Stapleton is a former healthcare worker who received her certification. She said, “You’re only with your healthcare provider maybe 15 minutes, maybe every three months, and that does not change your health. This program is about people changing their health. It’s a very powerful program and I believe in it.”

The 15 individuals who received their certifications on Tuesday will be working together to present self management trainings throughout the county in the coming months.

For more information about the Chronic Disease Self Management Program, contact a local family resource center or call Daniele Minock at 841-2126.

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